Barefoot, threadbare, and leading a horde of ragged war-orphans and zealots the smallfolk call sparrows, this particular candidate for High Septon arrived in King's Landing with nothing resembling the wealth or pedigree the office traditionally requires — and left the Great Sept's electors with an axe-wielding congregation at their backs and no practical way to choose anyone else. A maester notes, with the dry satisfaction such ironies deserve, that it was Cersei Lannister's own decision to restore the Faith Militant's right to bear arms — in exchange for the Faith forgiving the crown's staggering debts — that armed the very movement now dismantling her.
Unaligned
The High Sparrow
High Septon of the Faith of the Seven (by that title only)
- House
- no house; his name before the sparrows found him is not recorded
Last confirmed presiding over the Faith's restored authority in King's Landing, with both Cersei Lannister and, until recently, Ser Loras Tyrell under his charge on charges of grave sin.
The arc of The High Sparrow
This carries the character’s road through the published novels. Read on only if you do not fear to know.
These partings name deaths, endings, and roads not yet ridden in the books. Unveil them only if both roads are known to you — or if you do not fear to know.
Theories about The High Sparrow
SourcesAFFC · CerseiADWD · CerseiTWOIAF · The Faith of the Seven
How did the High Sparrow become High Septon?
His movement of impoverished 'sparrows' overwhelmed the Most Devout's election with sheer numbers and implicit threat, forcing them to name him High Septon rather than any candidate of noble or wealthy backing.
Why does the High Sparrow have Cersei Lannister arrested?
Lancel Lannister, now devoted to the Faith, confesses their affair and their part in Robert Baratheon's death to him — testimony the High Sparrow uses to charge Cersei with adultery, treason, and worse.